If you like comfort, security, a medical plan, routine and the feeling of being part of a corporate infrastructure, then this post is not for you; but if just reading the headline got your heart racing..stay with me.
I'm writing this post in Bristol, England (that's me standing in Queen Square in the image above and the images below show me browsing books in St Nicholas Markets, affectionately known as St Nicks.) I don't live here but I do visit at least twice a year, to see my editors and publishers and to work alongside my husband in our ministry. Within a few days I'll be back in Cape Town, just in time for my granddaughter's 1st birthday, and a month after that, I'll be in the Middle East. I am what they call, location independent. But it wasn't always the case.
For many years I worked as the Creative Director in an advertising agency. I left home at 6am every morning and drove for an hour to get to work and then did the reverse in the evening. So how did I go from that..to where I am today?
After some analysis, I understood that there are 4 MAIN FACTORS involved in having what it takes to work anywhere in the world. If you think location independence is something you might want for your life, then consider this:
1. To work anywhere in the world, you've got to really want it
That may sound obvious, but bear with me. You may think you want the freedom to work for yourself and do the kind of work that you can do anywhere in the world; but do you really? Believe it or not, there is a downside to this kind of lifestyle. Like what? Like, no colleagues to have fun with. Like, most likely, no salary at the end of the month. Like, you'll probably be your own boss and not everyone can handle that. Like, travelling (FYI, travelling is not glamorous unless you're going Business Class.) Like, who is watering your houseplants while you're away? Like, you probably won't be able to keep a dog or a cat if you're travelling all the time. Like, what are you going to do with the kids? Once you've answered those questions, ask yourself why you want to be able to work anywhere in the world. Is it because there are certain places in the world you long to experience? If so, make sure the work you do allows for that..or you may find yourself being flown off to the Himalayas when you really hoped to end up in Paris.
2. To work anywhere in the world, you've got to do the right kind of work
When I tell people this they generally look very glum and say something like "yeah, I should never have gone into accounting". But there are ways to be location independent, even if you have the kind of career that generally is office-bound. There are essentially 3 kinds of people working anywhere in the world. Category A are those who are truly as free as a bird. These are the people who are either independently wealthy or whose work in no way depends on a set location. I am a writer. I qualify as a member of Category A because I can write anywhere in the world. Category B are the people whose work actually sends them all around the world. This is the businessman or -woman who is in France on a Monday and New York on a Tuesday. These people see the world (at least, they see the airports of the world) but they are not as free as Category A people because something outside of themselves is doing the sending. If you see yourself as a Category B person, there is lots of information and help to be found online at websites like http://myworldabroad.com and http://www.goinglobal.com.
3. To work anywhere in the world, you have to be willing to change
And that brings us to Category C people. Category C people are the most interesting people of them all. These are the people who started out doing location-bound work but then, driven by their desire to work anywhere in the world, either changed careers or found a creative way of tweaking their existing work to make it location independent. I could write 100 blogposts on this topic and still not exhaust it. The bottom line is this, if you want to be able to work anywhere in the world, and you don't have that kind of skill set or job right now, are you willing to change your career and go and study so that you can have the kind of job you can do anywhere in the world? This is a long-term goal. Do you have the kind of determination it will require? Or, is there a way that you can tweak what you are currently doing so that you can do it from anywhere in the world? Sound impossible? Think again. So, you're a nurse. How about signing up to do locum or caring work in another country? So, you own a sock shop. How about turning your business into an e-business? I'm sure you get the idea. Start thinking creatively about what you're doing right now..is there any way that you could turn it into a location independent business? If you want more freedom, more control over your life and the opportunity to live and travel where you desire, and you want that all through a business that you can run from anywhere, then you're probably going to be involved in a digital business of some kind. If you need some help thinking this through, go to http://digitalnomadacademy.com.
4. To work anywhere in the world, you've got to become a self-starter
Working anywhere in the world is like being your own boss and having your own business with the added stress of doing that in many different locations and of having to organise travel logistics. If you don't know how to manage your own time and productivity, its going to be a disaster. That's something you can prepare for right here, right now by refusing to allow outside forces to manage your time and productivity any longer. Surprise your boss by getting to work early and finishing projects before due date. Amaze your spouse by getting your home 'lock up 'n go' ready. De-clutter and systematise your personal paperwork. Take control of your diary.
Now, more than ever, it is entirely possible to have a location independent career. Technology allows for it, clients are no longer intimidated by it and the world is an increasingly shrinking place that is used to working virtually. But here's the caveat: While there's a lot to be said for the freedom and stimulation it brings, I have to say that the main thing that working anywhere in the world has taught me, is that there's no place like home. Isn't that ironic?
Have a happy day.
After some analysis, I understood that there are 4 MAIN FACTORS involved in having what it takes to work anywhere in the world. If you think location independence is something you might want for your life, then consider this:
1. To work anywhere in the world, you've got to really want it
That may sound obvious, but bear with me. You may think you want the freedom to work for yourself and do the kind of work that you can do anywhere in the world; but do you really? Believe it or not, there is a downside to this kind of lifestyle. Like what? Like, no colleagues to have fun with. Like, most likely, no salary at the end of the month. Like, you'll probably be your own boss and not everyone can handle that. Like, travelling (FYI, travelling is not glamorous unless you're going Business Class.) Like, who is watering your houseplants while you're away? Like, you probably won't be able to keep a dog or a cat if you're travelling all the time. Like, what are you going to do with the kids? Once you've answered those questions, ask yourself why you want to be able to work anywhere in the world. Is it because there are certain places in the world you long to experience? If so, make sure the work you do allows for that..or you may find yourself being flown off to the Himalayas when you really hoped to end up in Paris.
2. To work anywhere in the world, you've got to do the right kind of work
When I tell people this they generally look very glum and say something like "yeah, I should never have gone into accounting". But there are ways to be location independent, even if you have the kind of career that generally is office-bound. There are essentially 3 kinds of people working anywhere in the world. Category A are those who are truly as free as a bird. These are the people who are either independently wealthy or whose work in no way depends on a set location. I am a writer. I qualify as a member of Category A because I can write anywhere in the world. Category B are the people whose work actually sends them all around the world. This is the businessman or -woman who is in France on a Monday and New York on a Tuesday. These people see the world (at least, they see the airports of the world) but they are not as free as Category A people because something outside of themselves is doing the sending. If you see yourself as a Category B person, there is lots of information and help to be found online at websites like http://myworldabroad.com and http://www.goinglobal.com.
3. To work anywhere in the world, you have to be willing to change
And that brings us to Category C people. Category C people are the most interesting people of them all. These are the people who started out doing location-bound work but then, driven by their desire to work anywhere in the world, either changed careers or found a creative way of tweaking their existing work to make it location independent. I could write 100 blogposts on this topic and still not exhaust it. The bottom line is this, if you want to be able to work anywhere in the world, and you don't have that kind of skill set or job right now, are you willing to change your career and go and study so that you can have the kind of job you can do anywhere in the world? This is a long-term goal. Do you have the kind of determination it will require? Or, is there a way that you can tweak what you are currently doing so that you can do it from anywhere in the world? Sound impossible? Think again. So, you're a nurse. How about signing up to do locum or caring work in another country? So, you own a sock shop. How about turning your business into an e-business? I'm sure you get the idea. Start thinking creatively about what you're doing right now..is there any way that you could turn it into a location independent business? If you want more freedom, more control over your life and the opportunity to live and travel where you desire, and you want that all through a business that you can run from anywhere, then you're probably going to be involved in a digital business of some kind. If you need some help thinking this through, go to http://digitalnomadacademy.com.
4. To work anywhere in the world, you've got to become a self-starter
Working anywhere in the world is like being your own boss and having your own business with the added stress of doing that in many different locations and of having to organise travel logistics. If you don't know how to manage your own time and productivity, its going to be a disaster. That's something you can prepare for right here, right now by refusing to allow outside forces to manage your time and productivity any longer. Surprise your boss by getting to work early and finishing projects before due date. Amaze your spouse by getting your home 'lock up 'n go' ready. De-clutter and systematise your personal paperwork. Take control of your diary.
Now, more than ever, it is entirely possible to have a location independent career. Technology allows for it, clients are no longer intimidated by it and the world is an increasingly shrinking place that is used to working virtually. But here's the caveat: While there's a lot to be said for the freedom and stimulation it brings, I have to say that the main thing that working anywhere in the world has taught me, is that there's no place like home. Isn't that ironic?
Have a happy day.
Great post Gill! One of the benefits you don't mention is that you can see old farflung friends who you wouldn't otherwise see :)
ReplyDeleteOmigosh, of course!! That is the greatest benefit of all. I am so blessed to get these opportunities more than I ever dreamed I would.
DeleteOf course you can work in your PJ's and be in the comfort of your home - that's the best, drinking the coffee you enjoy and not the cheap stuff at work - hee,hee. Karen
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAha, so your idea of working anywhere in the world is..working in bed. I like that. I've written most of my books if not quite IN bed, then ON bed.
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